What is fibro gel used for? A Guide to Fibrin Sealants

October 6, 2025 •

4 min read

Fibrin sealants have been used in over 4 million procedures worldwide [1.2.4]. But what is fibro gel used for exactly? It's a critical tool for surgeons to control bleeding, seal tissues, and support wound healing when conventional methods aren't enough [1.2.2, 1.3.3].

Quick Summary

Fibro gel, known as fibrin sealant, is a medical product used to control bleeding and seal tissues during surgery [1.2.2]. It mimics the body's clotting cascade to achieve hemostasis and can adhere skin grafts [1.2.4].

Key Points

Primary Use: Fibro gel, or fibrin sealant, is primarily used in surgery to control bleeding (hemostasis) and seal tissues when sutures are not practical [1.2.2, 1.3.3].
Mechanism: It works by mimicking the final step of the body's coagulation cascade, using thrombin to convert fibrinogen into a stable fibrin clot [1.4.1, 1.4.2].
Broad Applications: Its use spans nearly all surgical specialties, including cardiovascular, neurosurgery, general, and plastic surgery [1.3.1].
Key Components: Fibrin sealants consist of two main components: concentrated fibrinogen and a thrombin solution, which are mixed during application [1.4.5].
Advantages Over Sutures: Key advantages include faster application time, less tissue trauma, and the ability to create a water-tight seal [1.5.1, 1.5.5].
Risks: Potential risks include allergic reactions, life-threatening air embolism if sprayed improperly, and a very small risk of disease transmission from human plasma components [1.6.1, 1.6.5].
Contraindications: It should never be injected into blood vessels and is not for use in cases of brisk arterial bleeding [1.6.3, 1.6.5].

Understanding Fibro Gel: The Role of Fibrin Sealants in Medicine

'Fibro gel' is a general term for a category of medical products more formally known as fibrin sealants or fibrin glues [1.3.3]. These are biological adhesives used extensively across a wide range of surgical specialties to control bleeding (hemostasis), seal tissues to prevent leaks, and adhere tissues together [1.3.1, 1.4.6]. They are particularly valuable in situations where traditional methods like sutures, staples, or cauterization are impractical or ineffective [1.2.2, 1.3.5]. Commercial fibrin sealants are approved for specific uses, such as in cardiopulmonary bypass procedures, managing splenic injuries, and sealing colon anastomoses [1.3.1].

How Does Fibrin Sealant Work?

The mechanism of action for a fibrin sealant mimics the final stage of the body's natural blood clotting (coagulation) cascade [1.4.2, 1.4.7]. These products typically come in two separate components that are mixed immediately before application [1.4.5]:

Fibrinogen: A protein concentrated from human plasma [1.2.2].
Thrombin: An enzyme, which can be derived from human or bovine sources, or created through recombinant technology [1.4.6].

When these two components are combined, the thrombin enzyme instantly converts the fibrinogen into fibrin monomers. These monomers then link together to form a stable, three-dimensional fibrin mesh or clot [1.4.1]. This clot effectively stops bleeding, seals leaks, and provides a scaffold that supports the body's natural wound healing process [1.4.2, 1.4.6]. Some formulations also include substances like aprotinin or tranexamic acid to inhibit the breakdown of the clot, prolonging its effectiveness [1.2.1, 1.4.5]. The adhesive strength of the clot is directly related to the concentration of fibrinogen in the product [1.4.2].

Widespread Surgical Applications

Fibrin sealants are versatile and used in virtually every surgical field [1.3.1]. Their ability to provide rapid hemostasis and tissue sealing makes them indispensable in numerous procedures.

Common Uses Across Specialties:

Cardiovascular Surgery: To seal complex suture lines, vascular grafts, and cannulation sites, as well as control diffuse bleeding after bypass operations [1.3.1, 1.3.7].
Neurosurgery: As an adjunct to dural closures to prevent cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks after tumor resections or trauma [1.3.1, 1.3.2].
General Surgery: For hemostasis on raw organ surfaces, such as the liver and spleen after traumatic injury, and for reinforcing intestinal anastomoses [1.3.1, 1.3.9].
Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery: To secure skin grafts, particularly after burn debridement, and to reduce seroma (fluid collection) formation after procedures like mastectomies [1.2.4, 1.3.1].
Orthopedic Surgery: Used in procedures like Achilles tendon repair and for osteochondral fractures [1.4.8].
Ophthalmic Surgery: For attaching conjunctival autografts in pterygium surgery and closing wounds in other eye procedures [1.5.3, 1.5.5].
Spinal Surgery: To assist in sealing the dura to prevent CSF leaks and to help control bleeding [1.3.2].

Fibrin Sealant vs. Traditional Sutures

While both fibrin sealants and sutures are used for tissue closure, they have distinct advantages and disadvantages depending on the clinical scenario. A 2024 study on peripheral nerve repair found that while sensory and motor recovery were comparable between the two methods, the time required for the procedure was significantly shorter with fibrin glue [1.5.1].


Feature	Fibrin Sealant (Fibro Gel)	Traditional Sutures
Speed	Significantly faster application time [1.5.3, 1.5.5].	Slower, requires more meticulous placement.
Trauma	Minimal trauma to delicate tissues; ideal for friable tissue [1.2.7, 1.5.1].	Can cause inflammation and mechanical stress from needle punctures [1.5.1].
Seal	Provides a continuous, water-tight seal, effective for preventing air or fluid leaks [1.3.1].	Closure is intermittent at suture points; may not be fully sealed.
Hemostasis	Excellent hemostatic properties, controls diffuse oozing [1.2.4].	Primarily for tissue approximation; less effective for controlling surface bleeding.
Strength	Lower initial tensile strength compared to sutures; some risk of dehiscence (reopening) [1.5.4].	High initial tensile strength, providing a mechanically robust closure.
Complications	Fewer suture-related complications (e.g., granulomas, irritation) [1.5.2]. Potential for allergic reaction or air embolism if sprayed improperly [1.6.1, 1.6.5].	Risk of suture-related infection, granuloma formation, and patient discomfort [1.5.5, 1.5.8].
Cost	Generally more expensive than sutures [1.5.2].	Relatively inexpensive materials.

Potential Risks and Side Effects

While generally safe and effective, fibrin sealants are not without risks. Since many products are derived from human plasma, there is a theoretical, albeit extremely small, risk of transmitting blood-borne pathogens [1.6.1, 1.6.5]. Donors and plasma are rigorously screened to minimize this risk [1.2.9].

Potential side effects and complications include:

Allergic Reactions: Hypersensitivity reactions, including life-threatening anaphylaxis, can occur, particularly in patients with a known allergy to bovine proteins (if a bovine-based thrombin is used) or aprotinin [1.6.1, 1.6.5].
Air or Gas Embolism: If the sealant is applied using a pressurized spray device, there is a risk of air or gas entering the bloodstream, which can be fatal. This is associated with using higher-than-recommended pressure or applying it too close to the tissue [1.6.1, 1.6.3].
Thromboembolic Events: The product must never be injected into a blood vessel, as this can cause widespread clotting [1.6.3, 1.6.5].
Common Side Effects: More common, less severe side effects can include itching, swelling, bruising, or post-operative pain [1.6.1].

Conclusion

So, what is fibro gel used for? It is a powerful tool in the modern surgeon's arsenal. As a fibrin sealant, it provides rapid bleeding control and tissue adhesion in a vast number of surgical procedures, from complex heart operations to delicate nerve repairs [1.3.1]. By mimicking the body's own clotting mechanisms, it offers a biological solution that can reduce operating time, minimize tissue trauma, and improve patient outcomes compared to traditional methods alone [1.3.6, 1.5.1]. While it carries certain risks that require careful handling and application, its benefits have made it an invaluable adjunct to surgical practice.

For more in-depth information on the clinical use of fibrin sealants, a good resource is the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI): https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1578544/

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, 'fibro gel' is another term for fibrin sealant, which is often called surgical glue or fibrin glue. It's a biological adhesive used to control bleeding and seal tissues [1.3.3, 1.4.6].

Fibrin sealant is typically applied topically using a dual-barrel syringe that mixes the two components (fibrinogen and thrombin) as they are dispensed. It can be dripped or sprayed onto the tissue surface [1.2.2, 1.4.2].

It is made of two main components derived from human plasma: a concentrated solution of the protein fibrinogen and an enzyme solution of thrombin. Calcium chloride is also present to aid the reaction [1.2.2, 1.4.5].

Yes, hypersensitivity or allergic reactions can occur. The risk may be higher if the product contains bovine (cow-derived) components or aprotinin, or if a patient has had previous exposure [1.6.1, 1.6.5].

Yes, the fibrin clot created by the sealant is naturally and slowly broken down and absorbed by the body's own fibrinolytic processes as the wound heals [1.4.1, 1.4.5].

The main advantages include significantly shorter operating time, less inflammation and post-operative pain, and the ability to seal surfaces evenly, which is especially useful for controlling leaks or bleeding from delicate tissues [1.5.1, 1.5.5].

Yes. It is contraindicated for direct intravascular injection due to the risk of life-threatening clots. It is also not effective for controlling severe or brisk arterial bleeding, as the blood flow will wash it away before a clot can form [1.6.3, 1.6.5].

Yes, fibrin sealant is used for peripheral nerve repair. Studies have shown it to be as effective as traditional sutures for motor and sensory recovery, with the added benefit of a much shorter surgical time [1.5.1, 1.5.6].